Customer Reviews

From Palace to Prison Pb

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Naraghi, a leading Iranian intellectual, has written an important and absorbing account of his experiences between September 1978 and September 1983. In part one, he recounts in great detail his eight conversations with Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi during the last, agonizing months of the shah's 37-year reign. Both sides of the conversation held considerable interest-we see the shah's desperate turn of min d and Naraghi's intelligent insights into the monarch's problems (for example, he traces the shah's troubles to 1962, when his abrasive, anti-Islamic remarks forced the religious leaders to respond by becoming revolutionaries). In part two, Naraghi recounts his three years in prison. Arrested twice because of his conversations with the shah and another time because he had been an academic mentor of Abul-Hassan Bani-Sadr, the ousted ex-president of Iran (as one of Naraghi's friends correctly observed to him, "You're always on the side of the losers."). Naraghi offers a surprisingly benign view of the prison authorities. He portrays his time served as a unique opportunity to meet varied Iranians and even distinguished ones. Indeed, on his third arrest, the author admits that "in all honesty the idea of making new and interesting acquaintances was not altogether displeasing to me."

Middle East Quarterly, September 1994 --This text refers to the Hardcover edition

Naraghi's book clearfies some of the issues that were rumored at the end of the Shah's regime and furtheremore, gives very good insight about Shah's inter personality. The latter part of the book verifies the disbelief that Ayatollah Khomeini and the Mullahs had about the sudden grab of full power and lack of the know-how to handle it which is continuing today. It is a battle between mystic religion and modern day changes. The author has avoided self glorification which happens in many of similar books.He has given an in depth and true view of the events of those days. I know. I was in a similar situation as was the author. Definitely worth reading.

THIS IS AN INFORMATIVE BOOK REGADING IRANIAN SOCITEY AND ITS STATUS NEAR THE ISLAMIC REVOLUTION

Naraghi, a leading Iranian intellectual, has written an important and absorbing account of his experiences between September 1978 and September 1983. In part one, he recounts in great detail his eight conversations with Shah Mohammad Reza Pahlavi during the last, agonizing months of the shahs 37-year reign. Both sides of the conversation held considerable interestwe see the shahs desperate turn of mind and Naraghis intelligent insights into the monarchs problems (for example, he traces the shahs troubles to 1962, when his abrasive, anti-Islamic remarks forced the religious leaders to respond by becoming revolutionaries).

In part two, Naraghi recounts his three years in prison. Arrested twice because of his conversations with the shah and another time because he had been an academic mentor of Abul-Hassan Bani-Sadr, the ousted ex-president of Iran (as one of Naraghis friends correctly observed to him, Youre always on the side of the losers.). Naraghi offers a surprisingly benign view of the prison authorities. He portrays his time served as a unique opportunity to meet varied Iranians and even distinguished ones. Indeed, on his third arrest, the author admits that in all honesty the idea of making new and interesting acquaintances was not altogether displeasing to me.

Middle East Quarterly, September 1994

The writer gives a unique view of having close relationship to the Shah and surviving the revolutionary wrath. He gives sporadic views which most of the time can be accepted, but are not comprehensive or conclusive.

I read the book with pleasure. The author is a great writer and highly educated man .The book is informative and well written.So ,I suggest it to all book lovers .

THIS IS AN INFORMATIVE BOOK REGADING IRANIAN SOCITEY AND ITS STATUS NEAR THE ISLAMIC REVOLUTION.DR NARAGHI IS A GREAT AND HIGHLY EDUCATED MAN .

THIS IS AN INFORMATIVE BOOK REGADING IRANIAN SOCITEY AND ITS STATUS NEAR THE ISLAMIC REVOLUTION

THIS IS AN INFORMATIVE,DOCUMENTED AND WELL- WRITTEN BOOK REGADING THE IRANIAN SOCITEY AND ITS STATUS BEFORE THE ISLAMIC REVOLUTION OF IRAN.DR NARAGHI IS A GREAT AND HIGHLY EDUCATED MAN . I READ THE BOOK WITH PLEASURE , SO I SUGGEST IT TO ALL OF THE BOOK LOVERS .